ALFRED, Maine -- The Maine Harvest for Hunger program racked up impressive food totals in 2012 to help supply the needs of 19 food pantries and other emergency nutrition providers in York County.At an annual dinner at the York County Shelter this week, UMaine Cooperative Extension Educator Frank Wertheim reported 39,492 pounds of food was donated. Most was gathered by Master Gardener volunteers who gleaned regularly throughout the growing season at nine different donating farms in the county.The total was well over the 31,000-plus pounds donated last year.The largest of these were Spillers Farm in Wells with 18,082 pounds, and Zach’s Farm in York with 6,447 pounds.Some 4,754 pounds of apples also were picked by Master Gardener crews at several area orchards that donated including McDougal Orchard, Kelly Orchard, Romac Orchard and Lake View/Randall Orchard.Produce also came from 16 home gardeners who planted a row or more dedicated to the program, and six community or church gardens.The 4-H Coastal Clover Garden program also grew and harvested 2,587 pounds of vegetables at a dedicated plot at Zach’s Farm.Martha Heustis, food services director at the York County Shelter Program, the county’s largest, said the effort will allow the shelter to provide about 1,600 baskets for Thanksgiving this year that will include fresh produce for the first time.There were enough winter squash, onions, potatoes and apples picked to store away for the holiday feast. These will be added to a turkey, cranberry sauce and other items in the basket so a family of four has a complete Thanksgiving meal.“We’ve never had this much,” said Heustis, who added that having fresh vegetables and fruit makes a big difference to needy families.For more information about Maine Harvest for Hunger and how to help the effort, contact the Cooperative Extension’s Sue Tkacik at 207-324-2814 and susan.tkacik@maine.edu.